By Mary McCarthy
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 10/23/03)

More than 2,000 members of the Church of Arlington filled the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception last weekend for the diocesan pilgrimage.

At the close of the Year of the Rosary, the pilgrims gathered in Mary’s home in the United States to pray the rosary, praise her and her Son in the many chapels devoted to the different images of Mary, attend confession, and attend Mass celebrated by Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde.

"My hope was to fill the shrine, and it certainly seemed filled," said Father Francis Peffley, pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Gainesville and head of the Pilgrimage Planning Committee.

Father Peffley said that almost every parish in the diocese was represented on Saturday. It was evident by looking at the crowd that many different ethnic groups participated as seen by people arriving in the traditional costumes of Korea, Vietnam, China and Hispanic countries. The welcoming address, parts of the Mass, recitation of the rosary and even confessions were performed in many different languages.

James Brooks, who traveled from Dale City where he is a parishioner at Holy Family Parish, said he has made the pilgrimage to the Shrine in the past and traveled to the Basilica again because of the ideas behind making a pilgrimage, and what a pilgrimage represents. He has heard the Holy Father speak of the importance of pilgrimages and heeds his words.

Bishop Loverde welcomed the pilgrims in both English and Spanish. In his welcoming address, the bishop explained the purpose of the pilgrimage, and said, "The greatest desire of Mary is to lead us to Jesus, her Son: the way, the truth and the life."

After praying the rosary in five different languages, Father Walter Rossi, director of pilgrimages for the Basilica, explained the history and purpose of the National Shrine, as well as the architecture and some of the artwork.

Tour guides were available during part of the morning for guided tours.

Several cultural groups gathered in chapels related to their native countries to pray together. Parishioners from St. Paul Chung Parish in Fairfax welcomed pilgrims to the Queen of Mission Chapel to pray the rosary in Korean. The Filipino prayer group met in the Byzantine Chapel where prayer was led by the Birhen Ng Antipolo group.

Our Mother of Africa Chapel was well visited and often filled. Thelma Washington, a parishioner from Holy Family Parish, said she enjoyed praying there with fellow African-Americans on her first pilgrimage to the Basilica.

Hispanics celebrated Mary through music at another very popular chapel, Our Lady of Guadalupe. Vietnamese Catholics met at Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel, and Chinese Catholics met at the Our Lady of China mosaic, dedicated just over a year ago.

The Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel on the Crypt level of the Basilica was overflowing at 11:30 a.m. with more than 200 adults and young people gathered to hear a talk delivered by Father Peffley who shared stories of the power of the rosary.

In order to defeat Goliath, Father Peffley said, David picked up a sling and some stones. "We have many evils in our world and the spiritual weapon that we pick up is the rosary," Father Peffley said.

During the time set aside for lunch, many pilgrims gathered on the steps outside the Basilica to enjoy the beautiful fall weather and sunshine before returning to the upper church to attend Mass celebrated by Bishop Loverde.

The procession before Mass was led by 13 children, dressed in ethnic costumes and carrying different images of Mary.

Fourth degree Knights of Columbus from several divisions served as Honor Guard for the Mass and as ushers throughout the day.

Banners from 40 chapters of the Legion of Mary decorated the altar of the shrine.

In his homily, Bishop Loverde once again made reference to the anniversary of the pope’s pontificate.

"For 25 years [the pope] has been calling us to holiness," Bishop Loverde said. "Here, untied together as members of one diocesan family, we are rediscovering a treasure, the rosary. May we recommit ourselves not only to say the rosary each day, but to pray over each mystery."

The unity of the diocese, even though it is comprised of many different cultures, was celebrated at Mass. The intercessions were read in six different languages by individuals dressed in traditional dress.

The inclusion of so many cultures and their traditions was enjoyed by many who attended the pilgrimage.

Maurie and Mary Stevens, a couple from St. Philip Parish, said they enjoyed the pilgrimage because of its focus on Marian devotions, but mostly because of the multicultural celebrations.

"The mix of young and old; Vietnamese, Korean, Spanish, Filipino, Chinese and American; I was amazed at the mix of everything," Maurie said.